It’s halftime in Happy Valley and Ohio State leads 21-6 after a bit of a bizarre ending to the half. But more on that later.
Ohio State came out swinging in the first quarter with a huge run on the first play by Garrett Wilson. Chris Olave later made a huge catch of a Justin Fields pass in the endzone for a touchdown to put OSU up by two scores.
Before all the fun tonight, we discussed some keys to the game and one of them was mistakes by Penn State. The first was Franklin going for it on fourth down in his own territory (and losing that battle), and another was mass confusion by the Nittany Lion defense on third down that resulted in a touchdown.
All kinds of confusion here on defense foe Penn State. Justin Fields takes advantage down the middle for a 10-yard TD pass to Jeremy Ruckert. OSU now up 21-3 late in the first half. #PSUvsOSU https://t.co/BgGyTvBG2S
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) November 1, 2020
The game flattened out a little early in the second quarter as Penn State settled down on defense. The offense continued to struggle for the Nittany Lions as the playcalling was heavy on getting Sean Clifford going in the run game, both designed and running-for-your-life type of scenarios.
On offense, the Buckeyes seem to want to force the run with the tailbacks, and it is just not consistent yet. Hopefully, we’ll see that heat up in the second half.
The Buckeyes got Trey Sermon and Jeremy Rucker involved in the passing game and scored a third touchdown. The defense held and put Ohio State firmly in control of the game. Adjustments will be made, but the OSU may just have too much.
A strange call at the end of the half gave Penn State a field goal attempt that gave it some momentum heading into the locker room. It was the second questionable call that allowed two field goals and all the scoring for the Nittany Lions in the first half. Something to watch for in the second half.
The offensive line has been fantastic and has controlled the front for Ohio State. Equally impressive has been the defensive line getting off their blocks and controlling the gaps. Tuf Borland has been great in coverage and diagnosing screen passes, which has seemed to throw a wrench in the Penn State game plan.
Hopefully, the momentum Penn State seemed to grab with a field goal courtesy of a very slow clock operator in the stadium won’t parlay to more momentum in the second half. OSU will need to start the second half much like it did the first and put this one away.
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